Suddenly I heard old Charles Duchaine bring down his fist with a vigorous thud upon the end of the table.
"I'll see you in —— first, Simon!" was his unexpected remark.
"What?" cried Simon, taken completely aback.
"No, Simon," continued the old man in his mild voice once more. "You are not a gentleman you know, and you are not fit to marry Jacqueline."
Leroux thrust his hard face into the old man's.
"Duchaine, your wits are wandering," he answered. "Listen now! Have you forgotten that the government is searching for you night and day? It was a long time ago that you killed a soldier of the Canadian forces, but not too long ago for the government to remember. It has a long memory and a long arm, too, and at a word from me——"
It was pitiful to see the change that came over Duchaine's face. He shook with fear and stretched out his withered hands appealingly.
"Simon, you wouldn't betray me after all these years of friendship?" he cried. "Mon Dieu, I do not wish to hang!"
"Keep calm, Charles, my friend," responded Simon glibly. "I am ready to return friendship for friendship. Will you acknowledge me as your son-in-law and heir?"
"Yes," stammered the old man. "Take everything, Simon; only leave me free."